Pet shop owners now fear for its safety as the animal needs round-the-clock care.

The animal, named Armitage, was stolen from Abi’s Exotics, on Gateshead High Street, on Tuesday morning.

A man entered the shop and removed glass from the enclosure before fleeing with the animal.

Today, as police appeal for anyone with information to come forward, shop owner Ray Connor told of his concern for the tortoise. The 55-year-old dad-of-three, of Blaydon, Gateshead, said: “These animals can’t just be kept in the garden – they have got to be under ultraviolet lights.

“We are more worried about the welfare of the animal than the loss of money.

“Our main concern is for the animal. If this man doesn’t know what he’s doing then we have a problem.”

The news comes just weeks after a grey African parrot named Oscar was stolen from an aviary in Saltwell Park.

The bird was given to the park when his original owner found him too difficult to handle.

This is not the first time the pet shop has been targeted by thieves.

Just three months ago a bird cage and other items were stolen from the back of the shop.

Abi Exotics, named after Ray’s daughter Abigail, 19, is a family run business.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Police are investigating the theft of a tortoise from the High Street in Gateshead between 12.06 and 12.17 on Tuesday. The offender walked into the shop and stole the tortoise.”